Piyasena's biography, an example to future generation - Deputy Speaker

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said veteran journalist S. Piyasena is a classic example for today's journalists, politicians and the people.

The Deputy Speaker who addressed a felicitation ceremony at the Parliamentary complex on Thursday commended the services rendered by this veteran media personality. He was also the first interpreter of the Sri Lanka Parliament. The felicitation ceremony was organised on the instructions of Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. A large number of parliamentarians, journalists and parliamentary officials were present.

The Deputy Speaker lauded Piyasena for his pivotal role in the field of journalism during his 70-year journalistic career. Foreigners who first identified his journalistic skills sought his contribution as an interpreter of Parliament in 1956. Today journalism has become more complicated compared to the time when Piyasena took to it.

The Deputy Speaker said " We see how some sections of the media remain alert round the clock and act in a more responsible manner. However, it is deplorable that certain people are engaged in competitiveness by ignoring media ethics. Compared to the good old days today the media faces big challenges due to competitiveness and commercialisation. It is a great pleasure to see the significant service rendered to journalism by Piyasena's son Sugeeswara Senadeera.

Minister Gunawardena said that journalist Piyasena was fortunate enough to represent three eras of our society with a wide range of knowledge and experience. He is also a political analyst closely associated with Parliament. As a journalist he had gained the rare opportunity of meeting the leaders of India's freedom struggle. He also made his effective contribution to Sri Lanka's freedom struggle and played a significant role to strengthen Indo-Lanka ties. Therefore, journalist Piyasena could be recognised as a significant character in our country's history.

Piyasena said that he commenced his journalistic career during the State Council days in 1942. Hambantota State Councillor D.M. Rajapaksa granted me permission to cover the State Council proceedings and after his demise in 1945 I didn't get that opportunity.

Later I joined Lake House in 1948 and covered parliamentary proceedings. I resigned from my Parliament interpreter post in 1959 to contest the election under the MEP ticket. After that I continued to be a career journalist, he said.

Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said Piyasena was appointed the first Sinhala-English interpreter of Parliament on May 1, 1956. Three years later he quit his post and pursued his career as a print media journalist and author. He rendered yeoman service to the media as an editor, sub editor and Features Editor. Therefore, journalist Piyasena's biography is an example to the future generation.